Iowa Is a Happy State

With research proving that money can contribute to happiness — at least, up to a certain dollar amount — the personal-finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2016’s Happiest States in America.

To find the states that are home to the happiest Americans, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 key metrics. Their data set ranges from emotional health to income level to sports participation rate.

Happiest States in America

1

Utah

11

New Hampshire

2

Minnesota

12

Washington

3

North Dakota

13

Wyoming

4

Hawaii

14

Vermont

5

Colorado

15

Wisconsin

6

Idaho

16

Massachusetts

7

Iowa

17

Connecticut

8

Nebraska

18

District of Columbia

9

South Dakota

19

Delaware

10

California

20

New Jersey

Best vs. Worst

Hawaii has the lowest depression rate, 10.7 percent, which is 2.2 times lower than in Oregon, where the rate is highest, 24.0 percent.

The District of Columbia has the lowest number of suicides per 100,000 residents, 7.8, which is 3.1 times lower than in Montana, where the number is highest, 23.9.

North Dakota has the lowest long-term unemployment rate, 13.1 percent, which is 3.8 times lower than in the District of Columbia, where the rate is highest, 49.2 percent.

Utah has the lowest rate of heart attacks, 2.7 percent, which is 2.7 times lower than in West Virginia, where the rate is highest, 7.4 percent.

Utah has the highest volunteerism rate, 45.2 percent, which is 2.5 times higher than in Louisiana, where the rate is lowest, 18.2 percent.

Utah has the lowest divorce rate, 15.97 percent, which is 1.9 times lower than in the District of Columbia, where the rate is highest, 31.00 percent.